Laser Tag 2.0

Players pose before the game starts

More than 20 UTAR students seized the chance to build their very own laser gun on 7 April 2018 at Sungai Long Campus. Organised by UTAR Makers Club, Laser Tag 2.0 provided laser gun workshop and a gameplay session afterwards. During the workshop participants were given their own electronic materials and cardboard frames to build laser gun and vest.

Participants racing with time to finish their guns and vests

With the assistance of UTAR Makers Club members and volunteers, the participants soldered, connected and completed the circuit and finally attached it to the frame. The frame of the gun and vest utilised cardboard as the material, which was not only economic but also lightweight.

Compared to Laser Tag 1.0 that was held before, laser Tag 2.0 brought new and improved ideas. “This time we offer a workshop and a gameplay. We taught people the concept of how laser tag works by using infrared sensors and Arduino programming,” said the workshop committee Soh Shi Hui.

Arduino is an open-source electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software. It is used to make interactive projects that senses the environment by receiving input from many sensors and affects its surroundings by controlling lights, motors and other actuators.

Participants integrating electronic circuits into the cardboard vests

She added, “We also revolutionised the game by closing the entire concourse area of the seventh floor and converted it into a dark and closed arena. To inspire the participants to start their very own project, they were allowed to bring back the finished guns and vests as well.”

A participant trying to solder with the assistance of the club member

After putting hours of effort and focus on building the gun and vest, the moment that everyone was anticipating finally came. “The game is set by first activating everyone at the same time and they will be asked to enter the arena. The game master and referee will bring the teammates to their respective teams. Each team is set with unique pre-programmed colours with a self-built infrared remote. The battle starts after five minutes of activation. A team is formed by three members and each member has three ‘lives’. After being shot, the entire system on the participant will temporarily shut down until the players reactivate the system back at their own bases. The LEDs on each participant show the remaining ‘lives’ they have for the match. The game ends when there are only two teams left with surviving players,” Soh explained deliberately.

Soh also mentioned that Laser Tag 3.0 can be expected very soon, since Laser Tag 2.0 had a great response. Prior to that, All Rounded Drone Competition (A.R.D.C) by UTAR Makers Club will be held indoors in UTAR Sungai Long Campus. They welcome participants and visitors from the public and all universities in Malaysia.